The report says: "We concluded that the disturbance could and should have been prevented.

"There were several windows of opportunity in the early stages of the incident where it was no more than a passive protest when a hold could have been established preventing the subsequent escalation.

"There were sufficient staff on the wings and in the prison to form a hold but the staff apparently felt unable to make decisions (such as to secure prisoners back in cells) without a clear order and so they withdrew ceding control to the prisoners.

"We formed the view that staff had over the preceding years and especially in the preceding few months become worn down by the chronic staffing shortages at HMP Birmingham caused by a combination of high levels of sickness, attrition and disorganised deployment."

CALL THE LAWYERS

Granny from Hell

SINGER 'RAPE' BUST

X Factor star Jonjo Kerr arrested for 'raping woman in her 20s'

"But clearly there are challenges that the system and individual prisons face which is why the Government is taking firm action.

"We passed our target to recruit an additional 2,500 prison officers seven months early and are investing in new technology and 300 specialist sniffer dogs to stem the flow of drugs and mobile phones into prisons.

"There is more to be done but we are committed to making sure prison officers can focus their efforts on turning around offenders’ lives.”

Prisons Uncovered: Out of Control? Is on ITV at 10.45pm tonight (Monday).

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.